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Arcata Awarded $500,000 Grant for Rental Assistance Program

ARCATA AWARDED $500,000 RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANT

The City of Arcata was awarded a $500,000 grant of federal funds by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) this week.

Arcata’s grant was one of just 16 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grants totaling $9.9 million to be disbursed in California by HCD this year. HOME grant funds are to be used exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Examples of different programs eligible for HOME grant funding are first-time homebuyers’ programs, low-interest loans for homeowners who are rehabilitating their primary home, and rental housing assistance voucher programs.

Arcata’s grant will be used to fund a new tenant-based rental assistance program geared toward helping people who are struggling to pay rent in the city. Arcata began accepting wait-list applications for this program in May. To date, 65 people have asked for help paying their rent. Arcata’s program can provide up to 24 months of rental assistance to income eligible residents with priority given to seniors 55-years-old and older, as well as homeless families and individuals. In order to qualify, the rental unit must be located in Arcata and applicants must earn less than 60% of the area median income. For a family of four, that means earning less than $35,900. A single person must earn less than $25,200 to qualify and couples must earn less than $28,800.

"Helping citizens to be able to afford living in Arcata has been a long time goal for the City,” says Councilmember Brett Watson. “We are very fortunate to have such a competent, dedicated, and hard-working staff to help us continue to make progress on this goal."

“This is a great opportunity to help low-income renters here in Arcata,” says Councilmember Paul Pitino. “Thanks to our Community Development Department for making this happen!”

For more information about Arcata’s tenant-based rental assistance program, contact Jennifer Dart in the Arcata Community Development Department at 707- 825-2112, email jdart@cityofarcata.org, or visit www.cityofarcata.org.